Safety Comes First
Audio-Visual Indicator: I'm sure that those of you who enjoy flying Electric powered models took note of my March 1995 column, which pointed out one of their greatest advantages: "they start with the push of a button!" I'm also sure it came as no surprise when I mentioned one of their greatest disadvantages: "they start with the push of a button!" Still confused? I'll try to clear it up one more time. Push the button-the model is "armed" for flight. Push the button again-the model is no longer "armed" for flight. Simple enough, right? Well, not quite.
Safety Comes First
Glad to be Back: I believe it's appropriate to begin this column with an apology for the sudden disappearance of my column about six months ago. As indicated by the Publications Manager in the June 1995 Model Aviation, I found out on very short notice I had a new six-month job assignment with the United Nations in Croatia/Bosnia, which required that I give up writing for a time. I survived the "experience" and eagerly returned home to my family and friends. I guess I can honestly say that I enjoyed the opportunity to work for the UN, although I truly missed spending those lazy summer afternoons at the flying field with "the gang." Funny how being out of the country for long periods makes the home coming that much sweeter. I'm glad to be back!
Safety Comes First
OUT OF THE BLUE: "Come on, Trent! Grab some cover! The storm's almost over the field and you're out in the open with a lightning rod in your hands!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm landing the @#$% thing!" Trent growled over the sound of thunder in the distance. "Who does Ben think he's talking to, some dumb rookie?" he thought. "I've been flying at this field since I was knee-high to a grasshopper and I haven't lost one yet!" Small raindrops started landing on Trent's transmitter as he desperately tried to navigate his Ultra Sport through the heavy gusts of the approaching squall line. "Hurry, Trent! Line it up for a hot landing and get it down!" Sweat formed on Trent's forehead as he glanced over his shoulder at the approaching storm. "Jesus!" he spurted.
Safety Comes First
AS I WRITE THIS COLUMN it's early November. The daily temperatures have started to drop, and the trees are finally starting to take on an autumn-like appearance here in Florida. I guess I should thank hurricanes Erin and Opal for leaving a few behind. With the cooler air and a howling wind (courtesy of a passing cold front) it seems only appropriate to grab a cup of coffee and head out to the workshop to catch up on some projects that have been unfinished since last winter. Normally the number-one item on my list of things to do after an active flying season is a thorough safety check of my flight box. I say normally because I was gone so much that I really didn't have a flying season. While I was contemplating just how thorough the check should be (I'm naturally lazy) a copy of the Transmitter arrived from the Belleville RC Flyers of Mascoutah, Illinois. It contained a thorough checklist, written by modeler Ray Telican. Since Ray covered the subject rather nicely, I've included his list.
Safety Comes First
WHILE FLYING WITH A LOCAL MODEL CLUB a few weeks ago, I was once again made aware of the dangerous things that some of us do without much of a second thought. Leading the pack on this day was a pilot who started his airplane, laid his transmitter down, walked over to his vehicle to grab a pack of smokes, and walked back. No big deal, right? Well, it should be noted that during his short walk, the model was left unattended, running, sitting on smooth asphalt, and facing the pits. While the pilot was walking back, a stiff breeze pushed the model, and it began to move across the pavement toward him. When the model reached its pilot, he casually reached down, and turned it around. He let the model taxi back past the transmitter before he picked up the controls and proceeded to fly. Now tell me if I missed something here! An uncontrolled model rolling towards the pits? Even newcomers to the hobby should recognize the danger of an unattended, running (and moving) model at a flying field.
